Peer Support Specialist

at  Ascension DePaul Services

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Ascension DePaul Services of New Orleans (DCSNO) affiliates with DCHC which manages multiple Federally Qualified Health Center locations in the Greater New Orleans area. DCSNO is committed to improving the health status of communities and continues a long tradition of health ministry. DCSNO is seeking a full-time Peer Support Specialist. A Peer Support Specialist supports patients and their support networks on a daily basis, communicating with families and consumers to support their engagement, they use their training to assist patients with defining their recovery and behavioral health goals, and developing the skills and knowledge needed for the patient’s recovery and behavioral health compliance and remission.
The position works with the clinical team to implement care coordination when requested, which may include peer support as well as other services designed to stabilize the patient’s condition. They collaborate with providers and community agencies and organizations to facilitate access to and transition between services such as ER admissions or Inpatient Psychiatric Admissions. The Peer Support Specialist may also be engaged to hold informational meetings with community stakeholders to educate about the disease of addiction, behavioral health, the process of recovery, and behavioral health remission.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Peer Support Specialist through Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health or another State approved organization.
• Experience of 3-5 years of Case Management duties and/or lieu of Degree.
• Must have personal and reliable transportation, valid Driver’s License, and minimum current liability automobile insurance required.
• Must be Medicaid Application Certified (willing to train).
• Must be ACA Marketplace Certified (willing to train).
• Must possess integrity, leadership qualities and the maturity needed to fulfill mentorship duties.
• General computer literacy, experience with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
• Able to multi-task, excellent decision making and critical thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication, empathy and compassion towards others
• Seamless ability to connect with the Community and understand its needs.
• Able to work with other team members.

• Responding to calls and patient emergencies as needed.
• Meeting with patients regularly to offer one-on-one support and counseling.
• Developing recovery plans, coping methods, and rehabilitation strategies with the patient.
• Employee may be assigned to work with a specific population of people.
• Complete intake interviews to determine what social resources are needed to help achieve wellness and autonomy through resource software.
• Follow Peer Support Specialist to Provider workflow structure through the assigned EMR.
• Coordinate and provide resources to patients and members of the community to address social needs in a manner that is safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and client-centered.
• Provide detailed information regarding progress to locate resources.
• Maintain caseload assignments, draft a resource plan, review case progress and determine case closure.
• Develop effective working relations and cooperate with medical team, social services, health, governmental agencies and community.
• Follow up with patients to track progress via social resources, patient phone calls, “in community” and “in home” visits.
• Submit weekly reports.
• Maintain events, training and meeting details in the team shared calendar.
• Promote quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes.
• Making clinic appointments.
• Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings and community events as requested.
• Educate community members and their families about the sites and services provided.
• Maintains a high level of ethical conduct regarding confidentiality.
• May require certifications and further training in assisting members of the community.